Wednesday, February 29, 2012

For the last 2 years or so I have been having a love affair with Polymer Clay. I ADORE this stuff! It's so versatile and does so many amazing things.

One of the many techniques I've learned is "Mokume Gane". Mokume-gane(木目金) is a mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns. Translating as BURL metal, the name was borrowed from one type of pattern created in the forging of swords and other edged weapons. This Japanese art form has been translated into clay and it works beautifully. I have to say that this is my favorite technique because you never really know exactly how it will turn out. I love the surprise and the "one of a kind-ness" of it all.I am going to share this, my first ever tutorial so that others may find some enjoyment from their creativity. Good Luck!

Begin to reform the block by firmly pressing on all sides of the cube until it becomes a compact cube

This time use the bone folder to add deep gouges to the cube

Gouge in both directions

Flip it over and gouge the bottom too

Form it back into a cube, then use the fondue fork to pierce both sides, reform into a cube

Use the pottery tool to cut down into the clay, on both sides and always reform it back into a cube after you are done

Poke a generous amount of holes on both top and bottom using a needle tool

Reform one last time into a nice compact cube. This ended up being appx. 2 in x1.5in

Place your cube on a ceramic tile and freeze for about an hour

Once frozen use your blade to shave super thin layers from the top and bottom of the block. (this is actually the side just to show how thin to shave, you should flip it on it's 'side' & shave from the '"top")
Lay the thin slivers and slices on a sheet of parchment or waxed paper

Once all the clay is sliced you can begin to carefully piece the surface together

Gently but firmly press the slices together to cover the surface completely. Make sure to eliminate all air bubbles I use a test tube as a tiny rolling pin to smooth as much as possible

cover all surfaces~ front, back & sides

completely covered, carefully smoothed and ready to bake

Bake at 275 for 15-30 minutes ( or the time & temp recommended for your brand of clay)

Once cool, sand your pieces using fine grit sand paper. Wipe with damp cloth to remove dust.
Apply a thin coat of Future Floor Polish. Do not allow bubbles in the surface of the polish, allow to dry completely.
A second coat may be applied as needed.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Well it's now February 2012 and our current Casa De Everly is now officially on the market. Thus begins the seemingly never ending constant of military life ... the move.

Moving is a bittersweet process, exciting, wrenching, stress filled and pleasant all in one cyclone of activity.

Currently we are in what I call "stage one". The house is on the market, which means constant cleaning and freaking out about a glass in the sink or some toothpaste stuck to the faucet. Don't get me wrong, I love a clean house, but I despise house cleaning. I never understood those ladies (you know who you are) who find cleaning 'relaxing' or 'theraputic'. To that I say~ gag me! I would much rather curl up with a great craft project, read a book or take a nap than scrub a tub or god forbid, mop a floor. The only 2 house cleaning tasks I don't mind are vacuuming & laundry, although more often than not clothes get a few "extra tumbles" to get the wrinkles out before folding.

We have a few more challenges this time too. Pat & the kids are all in school till June, and we have to make arrangements for Pat's dad who currently lives with us to move to a senior community. Our time back in NoVa/DC has been good, but I am SO ready to be back near the ocean, why else would I marry a Navy man?